The Impact of the Shark Fin Trade

With the growth of the shark fin trade over the past 30 to 40 years, shark species around the world have experienced dramatic population declines, including some total fishery collapses, as well as a drastic decline in their size and body mass. Surveys done comparing sharks from the 1950s and the 1990s shows shark size to be significantly smaller, 50% or more in some species, with a lack of large individuals suggesting that over-exploitation has left few mature sharks in these populations.

All 14 shark species most prevalent in the shark fin trade are now at risk of extinction.

We have listed the impact on the shark species most commonly found in the shark fin trade in decreasing order, however there are many more affected. A total of 141 shark species are classified as threatened or near threatened with extinction, and others are data deficient, meaning there is not even enough information to decide if they are at risk.